May 29, 2023 archive

Massive gas pipeline approval included in debt ceiling deal

  The debt deal announced by President Biden and House GOP leaders over the weekend could produce opposition from Democrats because it includes a controversial 300 mile natural gas pipeline project. House leaders managed to include the billion-dollar Mountain Valley Pipeline which is 94% complete in stretching more than 300 miles from West Virginia to …

Continue reading »

Controversial BLM proposal supported by elected officials in New Mexico

  New Mexico elected officials recently went before Congress to testify in support of proposed federal rules that are meant t o increase conservation uses on public land. Testimony came from congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat, and New Mexico Public Lands Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard. Both supported the plan by the Bureau of Land management …

Continue reading »

Energy permitting projects—right in middle of debt debate

  The overhaul of the nation’s permitting process for big energy projects is right in the middle of what Republicans want as they negotiate with President Biden during the debt-limit talks. With a default deadline approaching this week, the issue has been on the table according to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Click here for Bloomberg

Texas congressman says EPA plans to weaponize rules against Permian Basin

  Talk about foot-dragging. It’s what Texas Congressman August Pfluger says he encountered with the Environmental Protection Agency as he attempted to confirm it’s threat to declare all of the Permian Basin a non-attainment area for ozone control. The Odessa American reports that it took the Republican congressman more than a year to get a …

Continue reading »

Justice Clarence Thomas suggests EPA should be gutted

  When the Supreme Court ruled last week the EPA overstepped its authority in a WOTUS fight, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas not only supported the ruling but also indicated he felt the authority of the EPA should be gutted. “The Court’s opinion today curbs a serious expansion of federal authority that has simultaneously degraded States’ …

Continue reading »

Texas won’t ban Chinese from buying land in the state

Texas won’t ban Chinese citizens from buying land in the state. The House of Representatives in Austin has voted against passing such a proposed law out of committee. That means the legislation is effectively dead since the regular session of the Texas legislature ends this week. State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, originally filed Senate Bill …

Continue reading »

How Texas turned away from supporting renewable energy projects

  Texas legislators took a turn this year in their support for renewable energy projects—wind and solar. Their previous support created the number one renewable energy producing state in the country. But this year, legislators reversed their support and decided through legislation, to do more to support the fossil fuel industry that made the oil …

Continue reading »

Devon pays $16 million for leases in BLM’s land sale in New Mexico

  Devon Energy was one of the top spenders in a recent government sale of oil and gas drilling rights on 10,000 acres of federal lands in Kansas and New Mexico. The auction attracted more than $78 million in high bids and Devon was successful in obtaining drilling rights in New Mexico, the nation’s second-largest …

Continue reading »

Vital Energy shareholders take part in annual meeting

Shareholders in Tulsa’s Vital Energy, Inc. took part in the company’s recent annual meeting of stockholders and upon recommendation of the firm’s board of directors elected four members to the board. Elected to the board were Dr. Craig M. Jarchow, Jason Pigott, Edmund P. Segner, III and Dr. Shihab Kuran along with John Driver. Shareholders …

Continue reading »

Oklahoma DEQ to seek $7 million from feds for drinking water revolving fund

  The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is moving ahead with plans to seek more than $7 million in federal funding as part of the state’s 2024 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan and Project Priority Lists. The DEQ announced plans to hold a pubic hearing for comments on the draft proposal. It …

Continue reading »